"April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks, 'Go!'

– Christopher Morley

Spring has arrived in the Butler School District! With spring sports in full swing, end-of-year planning underway, and the fresh air of open windows filling our schools, it's an exciting time for our students and staff.

I am proud to share that we once again applied and have been awarded an E-Rate grant that will significantly assist our district in covering the costs of HotSpots we provide to students who may not have access to internet at home. This grant will help ensure that all of our students have the connectivity they need to succeed.

The Butler High School Art Department continues to shine, providing students with outstanding opportunities to showcase their talents. Congratulations to the following students for having their artwork accepted into the Mt. Olive National Art Honor Society’s Annual Art Invitational: Winnie Jiang, Leela Jaskowski, Rose Tomaselli, Chloe Montgomery, Madeline Durren, Kylie Mecca, Jack Hou, Annake Pierce, and Keyli Amaya. Special recognition goes to Winnie Jiang, who earned third place in watercolor painting and a potential $80,000+ scholarship to Moore College of Art and Design, and to Jack Hou, who won a $120,000 scholarship to the University of Hartford!

Our commitment to STEAM education continues to grow, from early childhood learning through high school. At RBS, we have integrated Broadcasting and a STEAM course into our curriculum as part of our cycle work. This year, Mr. Konopinski led our students in the STEAM Tank Challenge, and I am thrilled to announce that a team of our 7th-grade students advanced to the next level, competing in the NJSBA STEAM Tank 2025 Regional Challenge. Congratulations to all involved!

As we move deeper into spring, we remain dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and academic excellence across all grade levels. Thank you for your continued support in making Butler School District a place where students thrive.

Be Well

Dr. J.

I am very excited to share the following information with you. This information was presented at our October Board of Education Meeting as part of our State of the District Report; however, with the NJDOE School Performance Reports set to be released in the coming weeks, our community and beyond will have the opportunity to see the strength of our school district, the programs we have built, and the exceptional commitment of our staff.

I have said this many times before, but it bears repeating—I am incredibly proud of the comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience we provide for our students. Our approach is intentional and holistic, ensuring that academics, social and emotional well-being, elective offerings, athletics, and extracurricular activities all play a crucial role in student success.

Over the years, we have empowered our educators to be teacher-leaders, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. We have refined curricula and resources to ensure they meet the highest standards. We have invested in targeted professional development to keep our instruction cutting-edge. And we have prioritized creating a positive and inclusive climate and culture that supports every student’s growth and achievement.

This commitment is reflected in our performance metrics, as we have met or exceeded the standard benchmarks established by the NJDOE, including median student growth percentiles and proficiency rates on the NJSLA and DLM assessments. Our students are at a significantly lower risk level due to strong attendance rates, and we successfully met our NJDOE-established graduation rate goals.

Additionally, we are proud to highlight key academic achievements and opportunities for our students:

• 27% of our students participated in one or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, demonstrating their commitment to rigorous academic challenges.

• 19% of our students are enrolled in concurrent/dual enrollment programs, allowing them to earn college credits while still attending Butler High School.

• 10% of our students participated in the Seal of Biliteracy Assessment, further emphasizing our focus on preparing globally competent graduates.

Our administrative team continues to perform extraordinary work, each member wearing multiple hats to support the district’s vision. Our staff remains steadfast in their dedication, working tirelessly to create engaging, technology-integrated opportunities that are meaningful and relevant to students’ lives. Through their efforts, we have seen sustained growth and progress across all areas of our district.

This commitment aligns directly with our Portrait of a Graduate, which serves as our guiding framework. We are steadfast in our mission to ensure that every Butler graduate leaves our schools as a critical thinker, effective communicator, adaptable problem solver, and responsible global citizen. We continue to build, improve, and innovate so that our students have access to the very best opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

I am honored to lead this district, and I look forward to sharing the incredible progress we continue to make. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping Butler School District thrive.

Our referendum project continues to make great strides, and we are excited to share the latest progress with our community. Each phase of construction is bringing us closer to the improved and modernized facilities that will benefit our students for years to come.

Significant advancements have been made in multiple areas. The masonry team has been steadily laying the brick façade on the exterior of the addition, enhancing both its durability and aesthetic appeal. Meanwhile, carpentry work has progressed with the installation of wood blocking along the perimeter of the addition’s roof, including the elevator shaft roof. Inside the building, painting is nearly complete in the media center and business center, transforming these spaces into fresh, inviting environments. In the media center, electrical work has been a focus, with the successful installation of pendant lighting fixtures to provide a bright and modern setting for students and staff. Roofing efforts have also moved forward, with the built-up roofing system now completed over the new offices and school store. Work has also begun on the roofing system for the corridor section of the addition. Additionally, the under-slab rough plumbing has been installed, laying the groundwork for essential infrastructure.

The media center is nearing completion, with walls receiving at least their first coat of white paint. The next phase in this space includes constructing the ceiling clouds, using a temporary fix to accommodate a backordered perimeter angle, as well as continuing with the lighting system installation.

Looking ahead, we have officially gone out to bid for the upcoming renovations to the science labs, an important step in ensuring that these spaces meet the evolving needs of our students.

In addition, we have worked with our architects on the renovations for the former front office and attendance office to transform them into the counseling offices. See plan below:

We remain committed to keeping our community informed as we continue making progress on this transformative project. Thank you for your ongoing support as we work to provide state-of-the-art learning spaces for our students!

Our goal is to provide transparency and clarity on the upcoming Butler School District budget while ensuring that our community understands the challenges we face and the steps we have taken to protect the quality of education for our students.

Funding Challenges

In addition to prior state aid reductions, this year we also had to navigate a decrease in our Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) funding. Last year, Butler was allocated approximately $30,000 to support special needs programs, but due to cuts, we only received $7,000 this year.

Furthermore, we entered the 2025-2026 budget process with a $420,000 deficit due to a one-time Stabilization Aid grant that was provided last year to offset previous state aid cuts. While it was widely reported that many Districts, including Butler, received a 6% increase in state aid, what was not publicized was that this 6% was actually a cap placed on our district. Based on our enrollment numbers, we were projected to receive more, but due to the cap, we lost $740,199 in expected funding.

Although the district is subject to a 2% cap on budget increases, tuition costs from MCVT were adjusted in February, resulting in a 3% increase over the previously communicated amount. An additional 3% increase has been applied for the 2025-2026 school year, resulting in a total tuition increase of 6% compared to last year.

Tax Levy Cap Restrictions

Many residents have noticed increases in their property taxes due to town-wide reassessments. However, it is important to understand that these tax increases do not provide additional funding to the school district beyond a strict 2% limit.

Under New Jersey’s S2 legislation, school districts are capped at a 2% increase in their total tax levy each year, regardless of how much property values rise or how much the town collects in taxes. This means that even if overall municipal tax revenue increases, the amount allocated to schools can only grow by 2% compared to the previous year’s levy—not based on new property assessments.

To put this in perspective:

• If last year’s total school tax levy was $10 million, the maximum the district can collect in the new budget is $10.2 million, no matter how much property values have increased.

• Even if your individual property taxes rise significantly due to reassessments, the school district does not receive additional funding beyond the 2% cap.

This restriction creates a financial challenge, as the cost of operating our schools—such as transportation, special education services, and utilities—continues to rise at rates higher than 2%. Unlike municipal or county budgets, which may see larger increases from reassessments, school funding growth is legally limited, requiring us to carefully manage our resources while maintaining a strong educational program.

Steps Taken to Balance the Budget

To ensure financial responsibility while maintaining the integrity of our programs, we implemented several key strategies:

• Health Insurance Savings – Successfully renegotiated our current health insurance plan to maintain previous coverage while achieving cost savings.

• Physical Plant Insurance Adjustments – Reduced the state average increase from 12% to 9%, even as our high school project increased district square footage.

• Transportation Contracts – Renegotiated and revised contracts to optimize costs.

• Restructuring of the Butler Leadership Team –

  • Eliminated two administrative positions.

  • Reorganized leadership roles to cover additional responsibilities, increasing administrative workloads to maintain all staff positions, programs, and class sizes.

• Resource Audit – Conducted a comprehensive review of all district resources, ensuring we continue with programs that directly benefit students while eliminating unnecessary expenditures.

What This Means for Our Students

Despite the financial hurdles outlined above, we are proud to announce that there will be no cuts to student programs. This means:

• All academic programs remain intact

• All athletic and co-curricular offerings will continue

• Our comprehensive elective programs at Butler High School and Richard Butler School will remain available

• Class sizes will stay small to support student learning

We remain committed to providing our students with high-quality education while being fiscally responsible. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring Butler School District remains a place where students can thrive.

The full budget presentation from our March BOE meeting can be viewed below:

We would like to thank our guest readers from both Cedar Crest Senior Living Community and students from Butler High School for coming to Aaron Decker School and reading to our students. Thanks for great read alouds! The students were so excited!

One of our favorite nights of the year was once agin, a huge success! Thank you to our dedicated teachers who worked hard to make this a night to remember for the students, and thank you to the families for attending our Family STEAM/LIteracy Night.

Thank you to all who participated in this year's Kid's Heart Challenge. We raised over $9,000 as a school for the American Heart Association. Great Job! Thank you again to Mr. Clark for arranging this great event!

We have several ways for you to stay connected to ADS. Follow us on Twitter at @ADS_Bulldogs and Instagram at @ads_bulldogs for news, announcements, and celebrations. A weekly update will be sent out for upcoming events and important information through Blackboard Communications. As always, thank you for your continued support!

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the parents and community members who made RBS Career Day a smashing success! Students in grades 5-8 participated in this engaging event that introduced them to a variety of professions through the open house that included hands-on activities, displays, and interactive discussions. Professionals from different fields shared insights about their careers, educational paths, and workplace experiences, which helped students explore potential future opportunities. Students completed a scavenger hunt requiring them to engage with the presenters and gather important information about the various professions. Due to the generosity of our presenters, our students were given the time to start thinking about their interests, skills, and goals, allowing them to make connections between their education and real-world careers. Special thanks to Mr. Fischer, Mr. Kurpick, Mrs. Molina, Mrs. Knox for executing this fantastic event; we definitely look forward to the next RBS Career Day!

The RBS Drama Club proudly presents a dual entertainment experience on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 at 7pm in the BHS auditorium. Please join us to enjoy Wishful Thinking and Hoodie along with various student monologues. Tickets are $8 for all guests. Come on out and support our students on what promises to be a fantastic evening!

Meetings for our highly anticipated TREP$ program are underway! TREP$ is a program that teaches students entrepreneurial skills by guiding them through the process of developing, marketing and selling their own products or services. Through hands-on experience, our students will learn business fundamentals, financial literacy, and problem-solving, while promoting creativity and building confidence.We’re excited for the TREP$ Marketplace, which will be held on Wednesday, May 7 from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Thank you to the PTA for assisting with this wonderful program for our students. All are welcome to attend the TREP$ Marketplace, so bring cash to support our students' ingenuity and entrepreneurship!

Accomplished school leader, Dr. Todd Whitaker says, "Great assistant principals do not just support a school; they strengthen its foundation, inspire its teachers, and guide its students toward success.” As April 7-11 is National Assistant Principals Week, we want to thank Mrs. Molina for all she does for us at RBS! She is a positive role model for students, a helpful resource for families, and a consistent support for staff. Thank you, Mrs. Molina!

Please join us in congratulating Learning Disabled Teaching-Consultant Ms. Lindsay Masessa as she is our Bulldog of the Month for March. Ms. Masessa joined Butler this school year and has already had such a positive impact on our school and district. She is attentive, supportive, and thorough as she works with students, staff, and families to find creative solutions to help us all. Although her role is within the Child Study Team, Ms. Masessa goes out of her way to support all RBS students, collaborating with staff and providing essential training and guidance. Her informed, patient, and detailed approach has truly impacted RBS and our district positively!

Please continue to stay connected with us through social media. Follow us on Twitter at @RBS_Bulldogs, Facebook at Richard Butler Middle School, and Instagram at @RBS_Bulldogs for news, announcements, and celebrations. The community newsletter, the RBS Review, is updated frequently as well. Please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Molina at jmolina@butlerboe.org or Mrs. Papa at mpapa@butlerboe.org. Have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break, Bulldogs!

English - Mia Boasso

Math - Anabella Cole

Science - Julianna Gangi

Social Studies - Ervin Ventura Perez

Physical Education - Jayden DiNatale

Business - Emily Loganchuk

Art - Melany Encarnacion

Music-Jason Okken

Foods -Luciano Scorsone

World Language - Kayleen Leyva

ELL - Jesus Escobar Hernandez

Shared-Time Student - Mackenzie Napoli

Anthony Romano was honored as the BHS Passaic County Unsung Hero on March 10, 2025. Congratulations Anthony!

Delegates: Bloomingdale - Chris Wild Butler- Oscar Zacharski

Alternates: Bloomingdale- Nate Martinka Butler - Anthony Boudaher

• Congratulations to Butler High School’s 2025 NJ Girls State Nominees -

Delegate: Mia Boasso Alternate: Stacey Rengifo

Congratulations to the following students who had their artwork accepted into the Mt. Olive National Art Honor Society’s Annual Art Invitational: Winnie Jiang, Leela Jaskowski, Rose Tomaselli, Chloe Montgomery, Madeline Durren, Kylie Mecca, Jack Hou, Annake Pierce, and Keyli Amaya. Winnie Jiang won third place in watercolor painting and a possible 80,000.00+ scholarship to Moore College of Art and Design, and Jack Hou won a 120,000.00 scholarship to the University of Hartford.

BHS 2025 AP, NJSLA and Final Exam Testing Letter

Congratulations to our Senior Student Athletes who are continuing their athletic careers in college

Hailey Ferrier - Girls Soccer - Bryn Mawr

Abbi Klopchin - Girls Soccer - Arcadia

Annaka Pierce - Field Hockey and Track - St. Lawrence

Sam Barile - Field Hockey - Lycoming

Karina Thompkins - Field Hockey - Oswego

Max Reilly - Track - TCNJ

Taylor Peters - Track - Felician

Sean Bauer - Baseball - William Paterson

PJ Coffey - Football - Rhode Island

Luca Toriello - Football - Springfield

Maksim Stojanovic - Football - Wilkes

Congratulations to Coach Jason Luciani for winning the 2025 WDHA Teachers Who Rock Award.

Coach Luciani is not only an outstanding educator but also a deeply respected leader, coach, and mentor who has made a lasting impact on our students, athletes, and school community. His influence extends far beyond the classroom. As one of the most respected high school football coaches in the state, he instills a sense of discipline, accountability, and pride in every student and athlete he works with. His coaching philosophy centers on creating an all-inclusive atmosphere, where every team member feels valued and supported, regardless of their skill level. His coaching extends to life lessons, teaching his players the importance of responsibility, hard work, and integrity, both on the field and in their personal lives. Coach Luciani will be honored at a ceremony later in April at Casa Bianca in Oakridge, NJ.

It is with great pleasure to announce that Mrs. Lisa Chestnutt has been selected as Butler High School's Bulldog of the Month! Mrs. Chestnutt has continually gone above and beyond to ensure her students’ success, particularly in her role as our business teacher and DECA advisor. Over the last month, her commitment has truly shined through as she guided her students in preparing for the DECA competition. She dedicated countless hours to helping them write and refine their 10 and 20-page papers, meticulously proofreading them to ensure every detail was perfect. Additionally, Mrs. Chestnutt worked tirelessly to help students improve their presentation skills, providing them with the confidence they needed to excel.

Her hard work and dedication certainly paid off as 12 students qualified for the DECA National Competition in Florida—a remarkable achievement that reflects her unwavering support and guidance.

Mrs. Chestnutt’s dedication to her students and her passion for helping them reach their full potential are just a few reasons why she is so deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Mrs. Chestnutt, and thank you for everything you do to make Butler High School a better place!

2025 DECA State Winners

Top Winners Eligible to Attend DECA Nationals:

• Jake Fiorenza: 1st Place overall in Financial Consulting

• Team of Emily Loganchuk & Peter Calvi: 1st Place Overall in Integrating Marketing Campaign with an Event focus

• Team of Evan Croker, Andrew Combs, & PJ Coffey: 1st Place Overall in Start-up Business Plan

• Team of Alaina Entice, Sam Barile, & Veronica Brynczka: 7th Place Overall in Integrating Marketing Campaign with a Service focus

• Team of Naomi Espinoza & Rachel West: School Based Enterprise Gold Certification

• Josuel Barrios: 9th overall in Professional Selling (was moved up to compete!)

One Event that Finaled (but did not qualify for nationals):

• Team of Maddy Meyers, Jess Markey, & Rose Tomaselli: in Integrating Marketing Campaign with a Product focus

Students Attending Leadership Academy in Florida: Oscar Zacharski, Charlie Smith, Bianca Corna, & Brooke Demmers

Congratulations to BHS Theater Director Ms. Kelsie Daniels and all of the Butler Drama students for their outstanding performances over the weekend at our spring musical - The Wedding Singer!

Please continue to stay connected with us through social media. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news, announcements, and celebrations.

BHS Social Accounts

Butler High School (Instagram & Twitter) - @butlerhsnj

Athletics Twitter - @bhsbulldogsnj

Athletics Instagram - @bhsathletics1

BHS Counseling Instagram - @butlerhscounseling

BHS SAC - @mstagariello

Congrats to Coach Mickens & Matt Barile!

🔹 Matt Barile – Scholar-Athlete Award
Proud to see Butler represented by two of the best!

• March 31-April 4 - RBS Scholastic Book Fair (PTA)

• April 1 Start of MP 4 BHS

• April 3 - International 3rd Grade Concert 6:30pm

• April 4 ADS First Grade Field Trip- Turtle Back Zoo

• April 8-BHS Family Feud Night

• April 8 - RBS Amazing Race (snow date)

• April 11 BHS MP 3 Grades Posted

• April 11 through 18 - No School - Spring Break

• April 21 - Delayed Opening - Teacher In Service

• April 24 - Take Your Child to Work Day

• April 28-30 - ADS Book Fair

• April 29- ADS 3rd Grade Trip- Liberty Science Center

• April 30 - ADS Grade 4 Spring Concert and Art Show-6:00pm

• Mental Health Awareness Month

• May 1 - BHS NHS Induction Ceremony - 7:00 pm

• May 1-2 ADS Book Fair

• May 3 - SAT at BHS 7:30 am

• May 5 - 16 BHS AP Testing

• May 6 - Morris County Middle School Leadership Dinner

• May 7 - RBS TREP$ Marketplace

• May 8 - School Nurses’ Day

• May 9 - RBS Plant Sale (PTA)

• May 12-20 RBS NJSLA Testing

• May 12-23 ADS NJSLA Testing

• May 14 - BHS Spring Concert 7 p.m.

• May 14 - ADS 4th Grade trip to Miners Game

• May 15 - RBS Spring Concert 7pm

• May 19 - 23 BHS NJSLA 9th Grade ELA/Math and 11th Grade Science

• May 20 - RBS Grade 6 Trip - The New Weis Center

• May 23 - RBS Field Day

• May 26 - Memorial Day No School

• May 27 - No School - Inclement Weather Day

• May 28 - RBS Grade 8 Trip - Medieval Times

• May 29 - ADS 4th Grade Transition Day RBS

• May 30 - Senior Athletic Awards Breakfast - 8 am

• May 30 - BHS Prom @ Brownstone - 6 pm

• May 30 - RBS Field Day (Rain date)

• May 29 - Kindergarten Orientation Night ADS 6:30pm